MULTIPLE British National Rally Champion Marcus Dodd leaves the gravel roads behind today and tomorrow as he tackles the RBS International Manx Rally.

The super fast Tarmac of the Isle of Man will play host to the MSA National Gravel Rally Championship regulars for its yearly sojourn on to a sealed surface.

There will be no time to admire the scenery for the Poole-based driver.

Dodd will be keen to grab as many championship points as possible on the two-day event based in Douglas.

Together with Hove's Andrew Bargery, Marcus will be looking to press his championship rivals hard on the surface he favours least.

The HPM Motorsport run Hyundai Accent WRC4 is back to rude health after retiring from the recent Border Counties Rally when leading.

Dodd was to suffer a gentle roll into one of the infamous Kielder forest ditches.

Despite virtually no damage to the car, it was impossible to regain the road leaving Dodd frustrated at not scoring points after a dominant win on the season opening Rallye Sunseeker in Bournemouth.

Dodd added: "The Manx is always an exciting event for everyone involved so hopefully a good clean run will see us ideally placed to pick up a large haul of points."

Dodd's main advantage over the weekend will be the home grown knowledge of Manx-born Andrew Bargery.

The former works Peugeot and Mitsubishi WRC co-driver has an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of the island roads and will certainly be a huge help to Dodd as he battles with series rivals Steve Perez, Paul Bird and Roger Duckworth today and tomorrow.